Football round-up: this weekend’s Premier League action – Newcastle mauls Sheffield, Spurs rock the Emirates and Chelsea’s troubles continue
This weekend’s Premier League action – week 6 – saw big names, big goals and big wins – and even bigger losses if you’re Sheffield United. All three of the newly promoted teams remain bottom of the table, whist current title holders Man City top the league. Manchester United are in 9th place whilst Chelsea are all the way down in 14th place, having only got five points from 6 matches.
Tottenham ready to shake ‘Spursy’ tagline
Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham
The North London derby saw Spurs fight back not roll over, as new star boy Maddison says Tottenham are ready to shake off the ‘Spursy’ tagline and no longer be viewed as the club with no bite.
Whilst a draw may not scream excitement, the North London derby was a thrilling match that saw two teams battle it out until the end. Arsenal were of course the favourites to win going into the game, but for long stretches, Spurs seemed more likely to be the team to walk away with all three points.
Arsenal lacked inspiration in the second half, looking heavy and unable to seize on their initial leads – having gone 1-0 up after a deflected own goal. Spurs were able to draw one back before Saka put the Gunners ahead from the spot. But not long after the celebrations of Saka’s goal, Tottenham silenced the home crowd with another Son Heung-min goal.
Tottenham looked razor-sharp at times but couldn’t maintain the spell for long enough to bag all three points – but sharp enough to offer a glimpse into Tottenham under new boss Ange Postecoglou.
‘Liverpool 2.0’ – the Reds are fresh again
Liverpool 3-1 West Ham
Darwin Núñez has shown why he’s so important to Jürgen Klopp’s new Liverpool, the ‘Liverpool 2.0.’
Núñez’s acrobatic volley was a delight to watch, but his all-round performance and understanding of the defensive work that the team requires of him shows why he’s so important to Klopp’s plans going forward.
As Klopp said: “He has made massive steps in the last few weeks. He is a threat. He was always available. It’s super-important for us now that we have a ball player to chip the ball, get it on the chest and play from there. That’s how we scored the third goal at Wolves. The defensive work he puts in is probably the main difference. He always wanted to do it but it was less coordinated. Now that looks much better.”
One of the most important changes for the Reds came this summer when the team freshened up its squad. Many players from last season seemed to be ageing out and struggling to play the way Klopp wanted them to. But not now, the team are similar to the Liverpool team that we saw when Klopp won the Champions League and the Premier League. They’re back to pressing all over the pitch against and have a younger, fitter and stronger midfield.
Man United get much-needed victory
Manchester 1-0 Burnley
Man United captain Bruno Fernandes came to the rescue, with a volley that would edge the team past Burnley. His team were desperate for a win following three straight defeats.
The strike was sublime and gave United their third win from six league games this season. It left Vincent Kompany’s Burley bottom of the table, with only one point so far.
It was desperate football for much of the match – for both sides, as both desperately searched for the win. Burnley played well for periods of the match with several chances to score.
Burnley hunted the equalisers in the second half but couldn’t find it. They played some eye-catching football but ultimately were undone by one magical strike from the captain.
Newcastle expose terrible Sheffield
Newcastle 8-0 Sheffield
There is little else to say about this match other than that it was a complete mauling of newly promoted Sheffield United. If it continues, Sheffield will likely be demoted back down to the EFL’s The Championship.
For the Toons, they managed to smash eight goals at Bramall Lane in an incredible display of control and poise on the ball. Any fears of a European hangover following their Tuesday Champions League draw against AC Milan quickly vanished.
Eight players were able to get themselves on the scoresheet with the opening goal just 21 minutes into the game. Sheffield had however started brightly but the lack of talent saw them down 3-0 at halftime. Once the goals started going in, Sheffield completely lost it, lost focus and lacked energy, so the goals kept pilling on.
Keiran Tripper and Anthony Gordon shone throughout the match, showing their key importance to Eddie Howe’s team. For Newcastle to succeed in the CL and PL and the other tournaments this season, these two will be key to the squad.
Chelsea’s problems continue
Chelsea 0-1 Aston Villa
Chelsea’s poor form continues as their latest match against Aston Villa saw the club’s season take another turn for the worse. The Blues went down to 10 men, losing on home soil after an already stuttering start to the Premier League season.
Ollie Watkins fired home Villa’s winning goal just under 20 minutes after Malo Gusto was shown a red card for dangerous play.
But Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea had created plenty of chances before going down to 10 men, but in classic Chelsea style, they failed to take any of those chances to put them in control.
Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling were both denied by Villa’s keeper Emiliano Martinez, who produced some incredible saves, whilst Enzo Fernandez sliced another glorious opportunity wide.
Chelsea’s keeper also made some incredible saves, several flying fingertip saves to stop beautiful volleys by Digne and Nicolo Zaniolo.
Following Gusto’s red card, there were chances at both ends, but neither team was clinical enough to get more goals. Villa are now sixth in the PL whilst Chelsea remain in 14th – and mark their third successive game where they have failed to score.
